In a nutshellWidely regarded as the finest, most technically correct England batsman after the Second World War, Len Hutton broke the world-record score in his sixth Test. He was also England's first professional captain.
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Wisden obituary
Sir Len Hutton, who died in hospital at Kingston-upon-Thames on September 6, 1990, aged 74, was one of the greatest batsmen the game has produced in all its long history. In the Hall of Fame he sits at the high table with the élite, and if English cricket alone is taken into consideration he was one of the two most accomplished professional batsmen to have played for his country, the other being Sir Jack Hobbs with Walter Hammond and Denis Compton coming next haud longo intervallo.

He was born at Fulneck near Pudsey into a family in which there was a healthy respect for the old virtues of discipline and self-denial. It was also a keen cricketing family, and the boy seems to have nursed ambitions deep in his heart to become a great player. He devoured anything he could lay his hands on about the art of batting, and by the time he had come to the notice of George Hirst he was already a complete player. Indeed, Hirst proclaimed that there was nothing to teach him; Sutcliffe, more extravagant in his praise, predicted that he would play for England. By 1934, still only 17, he was ready for first-class cricket, and in fourteen matches in the Championship he at once made his mark with five fifties and a maiden first-class century -- an innings of 196 against Worcestershire at Worcester. Batting with supreme confidence he was last out in a total of 416. He also showed a high degree of skill in batting for four hours on a difficult pitch at Scarborough before being bowled by Goddard for 67. Ill health a year later held him up, but in 1936 he made his 1,000 runs for the first time, often having to bat on rain-affected pitches in that vile summer. Impatient critics complained that he was too defensive. His answer was swift and to the point, and in 1937 he let loose a torrent of runs to show himself magnificently equipped with strokes. Against Derbyshire at Sheffield he made 271 not out, and when Yorkshire entertained Leicestershire at Hull he celebrated his 21st birthday with a fine 153, sharing in an opening partnership of 315 with Sutcliffe. His season's total of 2,888 (average 56.62) was second only to Hammond's. A broken finger in July 1938 put him out of cricket for around six weeks, but in 1939 he was in superlative form with 2,167 runs in the Championship and 2,883 in all matches, including twelve hundreds.

In 1941 Hutton injured his left arm so badly in a gymnasium during commando training that three bone grafts were needed to repair the damage done by the compound fracture. He was in hospital for eight months before he was finally discharged, his left arm weakened and some two inches shorter than the other. However, he set about restoring the strength to the withered arm, and by 1943 he was making plenty of runs in the Bradford League. His top hand was once more in control, as he always insisted it must be, and when in the summer of 1945 he played in the Victory matches against the Australian Services, and one or two other first-class games, all were agreed that his technique was in good working order and promised well for the future. In the post-war seasons he made runs in full measure, exceeding the 2,000 mark comfortably from 1947 to 1953 and never allowing the strain of Test cricket to interfere with his commitment to Yorkshire. In the summer of 1949 he excelled himself. Two years earlier Compton and Edrich had held the stage, and Hutton had merely had a good season. Now it was to be the turn of the Yorkshireman. His total of 3,429 runs, including twelve hundreds, was the fourth-highest aggregate in the all-time list. Furthermore he passed 1,000 runs in two separate months, breaking the record for a single month with 1,294 in June.

A batsman's worth must always by judged by his performances in Test matches. Hutton was chosen to represent his country for the first time in 1937 against New Zealand. He had a rough start to Lord's, making 0 and 1, but he was quickly into his stride with 100 at Old Trafford. A year later he was destined to make history and capture the public's imagination with his 364 at the Oval. Hammond wanted 1,000 on the board to be certain of victory and Hutton, suiting his game perfectly to the needs of the occasion, obliged by staying at the crease for thirteen hours seventeen minutes until 770 had been scored. The following winter in South Africa, without scoring heavily in the Tests, he delighted spectators wherever he played by the sheer quality of his batting. Back at home he was in irresistible form against the West Indians with 196 at Lord's, the last 96 coming in 95 minutes, and he rang down the curtain on Test cricket for six years with 165 not out at The Oval.

MCC's tour of Australia in 1946-47 was reluctantly undertaken, for the prospect of a humiliation as complete as that of 1920-21 was abhorrent to them. But Hutton, although often not in the best of health, had a splendid tour, scoring 1,267 runs and averaging 70. In the Second Test, at Sydney, he savaged the Australian fast bowlers in an innings too scintillating to last, making 37 out of 49 before he unluckily hit his wicket, and he finished on a high note with an unbeaten 122 in the final Test at Sydney before being laid low with tonsillitis between the close of first day's play and the resumption three days later. Early in 1948 he flew out to the West Indies to reinforce Allen's beleaguered team, but to expect him to rescue the series was asking too much. That summer, however, he was the centre of controversy in the middle of the Australian visit, when the selectors lost their heads and dropped him after he had looked in some discomfort against Lindwall and Miller at Lord's. Promptly restored for Headingley, he had the last laugh by finishing the series with scores of 81, 57, 30 (out of 52) and 64. His partnership of 359 in 310 minutes with Washbrook at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, was the highlight of MCC's successful tour of South Africa under F. G. Mann in 1948-49 and at the time was the highest for the first wicket in Test cricket. When West Indies comprehensively defeated England in 1950, Hutton alone seemed able to fathom the wiles of Ramadhin and Valentine, and his undefeated 202 at The Oval, when he carried his bat, was a magnificent fighting innings. Now he was nearing the final phase of his career, and he seemed to be playing better than ever. With Compton immobilised, Washbrook past his best and Edrich no longer the player he was, Hutton had to carry England's batting. He responded by averaging 88.83 in the 1950-51 Test series in Australia, 50 more per innings than the next Englishman; he again carried his bat, for 156 at Adelaide, and at Melbourne he had the satisfaction of making the winning hit in England's first post-war victory over Australia. But at The Oval in 1951, against South Africa, he had the misfortune to become the first player given out obstructing the field in Test cricket.

In 1952, against India, Hutton became England's first professional captain, although he had never captained his county. He at once showed his mastery of the job and kept his side splendidly on their toes. His handling of the young Trueman was exemplary, keeping him sharp and full of energy by restricting him to short bursts. Three of the four Tests were won, rain depriving England of victory at The Oval. In 1953, when the Ashes were regained in a low-scoring but nevertheless absorbing series, his leadership throughout was firm and confident, and with no-one else averaging 40 he with 55 was much the best batsman on either side. His innings of 145 at Lord's was as near perfect an exhibition of the art of batting as one could ever expect to see. The following winter found him leading MCC abroad for the first time, and the West Indians on their own soil presented a formidable challenge. Nothing went right to start with, the first two Tests being lost through feeble batting, but in the end the series was squared 2-2, largely through the efforts of the captain, who followed his 169 at Georgetown in the Third Test with 205 in the Fifth at Kingston. He was at the crease for about sixteen hours for the two innings, and all the time in sweltering heat. It had been a phenomenal feat of concentration. Now one more task remained for him: the retention of the Ashes in Australia. This was done in style in 1954-55, and after a grievous setback at Brisbane in the First Test. Hutton had two young batsmen at his command in May and Cowdrey and a most potent weapon in Tyson, for whose success he deserved much of the credit by encouraging him to shorten his run up to the wicket. England won three Tests in a row and most likely were deprived of a run of four by rain at Sydney. Hutton had little energy left for long innings, but his 80 at Adelaide was the cornerstone of the vital victory. He had to decline the offer of the captaincy for all five Tests against South Africa in 1955, owing to continued ill health, and early in 1956 he announced his retirement. He had captained England 23 times, winning eleven Tests, drawing eight and losing only four. Recognition of his achievements was swift. The previous year MCC had made him an honorary member while he was still playing, and in June he received a knighthood for his great services to the game.

In 513 first-class matches, Sir Leonard Hutton compiled 40,140 runs for an average of 55.51. He reached 100 centuries in 619 innings, the lowest ratio by an Englishman, and of his eventual total of 129 hundreds, eleven exceeded 200. Twelve times in England and five times on tour overseas he passed 1,000 runs in a season. A useful leg-spinner in his early days, he claimed 173 wickets, average 29.51, and made 400 catches, generally in positions near the wicket. In 79 Test matches he scored 6,971 runs for the impressive average of 56.67, hitting nineteen hundreds and twice carrying his bat; he alone had passed 400 runs in a series eight times. He was a selector in 1975 and 1976 and had accepted the presidency of Yorkshire not many months before he died. In his day he had no peer, and in the words of Geoffrey Chaucer, He was a verray parfit gentil knight.

Many were the tributes paid to Sir Leonard Hutton at the time of his death.

Peter May: "I always admired him tremendously and learned a great deal through watching his technique. He managed to maintain his form extremely well when captaining England."

Raymond Illingworth: "He was simply a god to me as a kid, when I followed him all round the Bradford League playing for Pudsey St Lawrence. Those who played with and against him knew he was the best player and a class above everyone else."

Brian Close: "He was a marvellous player and everybody who played with him was privileged. He was the complete expert, and batting with him you just couldn't help but learn."

Denis Compton: "We were different characters but very good friends, and he was the greatest opening batsman I have ever seen. I say that because in our day we played on uncovered wickets. His powers of concentration were remarkable, but when he wanted to be he was one of the best strokemakers in the game."

Colin Cowdrey: "I was just so lucky to play my earlier matches in the England side under his captaincy. He took all the trouble in the world to help me on my way."

In 1950, Bill O'Reilly, in comparing the post-war Hutton with the Hutton of 1938, said: "His footwork is as light and sure and confident as Bradman's ever was. He is the finished player now ... one cannot fail to be impressed with the fluency and gracefulness of his strokemaking ... His control of the game is masterful."Wisden Cricketers' Almanack

Len Hutton played his last Test match more than 55 years ago, but even today he remains in the top bracket of batsmen who have ever played the game

Timeline

June 23, 1916 Cricketing Huttons welcome Leonard

Is born at Fulneck, one mile from the market town of Pudsey in Leeds. His father is a good club cricketer, and his three elder brothers real cricket enthusiasts.

1928 On the right track

At the age of 12, Hutton joins Pudsey St Lawrence, a club famous for having provided such stalwarts as John Tunnicliffe, Major Booth and Herbert Sutcliffe. Soon he gets into the first team, and the club President - R Ingram, a member of the Yorkshire Committee - places Hutton's name before the county officials. Hutton is watched in the nets by George Hirst and from that day, Yorkshire keep him under observation.

1934 County calling

After a season of 699 runs with the minor counties, gets his first-class debut at the age of 17. Announces himself to the country with 196 against Worcestershire. Apart from that century, he scores five half-centuries in his first season.

After a year out with illness, Hutton scores 1000 runs in a season for the first time, often having to bat on rain-affected pitches in that vile summer. He is also criticised for being too defensive - a price, perhaps, for the great expectations there are of him.

In only his sixth Test he breaks the record for the highest Test score, held by his captain Wally Hammond, with 364 against Australia. Hammond apparently doesn't declare until he is assured that an injured Don Bradman, the previous holder of the record, won't be able to bat. England win the timeless Test by an innings and 579 runs.

March 1941 The cruelty of war

The World War is harsher on Hutton than other sportsmen of the era. Injures his left arm so badly in a gym during commando training that three bone grafts are needed to repair the damage. Is in hospital for eight months, and when he emerges his left arm is some three inches shorter than the other.

1943 Brave heart

Sets about restoring strength to his injured arm, and by 1943 he is making plenty of runs in the Bradford League. Many argued he was not quite the same player ever again - having lost the hook and the pull.

In the middle of the Australian visit, the selectors leave him out him after he looks in some discomfort against Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller at Lord's. Restored for Headingley, he has the last laugh, finishing the series with scores of 81, 57, 30 (out of 52) and 64.

1949 Season extraordinaire

Hutton scores 2000 runs in every season from 1947 to 1953, but excels himself in the summer of 1949. His total of 3429 runs, including 12 hundreds, is then the fourth-highest aggregate. Passes 1000 runs in two separate months, breaking the record for a single month with 1294 in June.

1950 and 1951 Carrying the bat twice

With many stalwarts either gone or past their prime, Hutton has to carry England's batting alone in the post-war years. At The Oval against West Indies in 1950, he scores 202 not out out of 344, and in Adelaide the following year, 156 not out out of 272. England lose both matches by large margins.

Playing against Surrey, Hutton gets to 100 first-class hundreds, in 619 innings, making it then the lowest ratio for an Englishman.

June 5, 1952 Captain and professional

When he walks out for the toss against India, Hutton becomes England's first regular professional captain. Under him, England beat India 3-0, regain the Ashes in 1953 in an absorbing low-scoring series, draw 2-2 while touring West Indies in 1953-54, and then retain the Ashes in Australia in some style, winning 3-1 in 1954-55.

1953 Cinematic debut

Anthony Asquith's 1953 film, The Final Test, features several of the heroes of the Ashes win - including Denis Compton, Alec Bedser, Godfrey Evans and Jim Laker - but none of them has as much screen time as their captain. He deals with his lines impressively.

An exhibition of concentration and endurance as remarkable has rarely been seen on cricket field. Record after record went by as Hutton mastered the bowling for the best part of two and a half days at The Oval. Having concentrated for over 13 hours, 20 minutes, the 22-year-old had the highest score in Test cricket to his name, and shared in two huge partnerships: 382 with Maurice Leyland, a record for any wicket for England, and 215 with Joe Hardstaff, a new record for England's sixth wicket. As a boy of 14, Hutton had seen Bradman hit 334 at Leeds, and in only his sixth Test he left that feat behind, also setting up a win by an innings and 579 runs.

196 v West Indies, Lord's, 1939

After Bill Copson's five-for bowled West Indies out for 277 in the first Test of the series, England were 147 for 3 when Hutton, along with Denis Compton, batted West Indies out of the game.Hutton's defence was absolutely sound, and though he spent four hours reaching three figures, his last 96 runs came in 95 minutes. There were one five and 21 fours among his strokes; 14 of his boundaries came after he passed the century, when he revealed a grand array of strokes. Bad light caused stoppages and at one time flashes of lightning threatened a deluge. Lord's escaped the storm, but West Indies couldn't.

202 not out v West Indies, The Oval, 1950

Trevor Bailey, who batted at No. 6 in the Test, wrote he never saw Hutton bat better. It was one of Hutton's single-handed efforts in an era when other stalwarts were fading away. On a treacherous pitch, against the wiles of Sonny Ramadhin and Alf Valentine, England had to go without Cyril Washbrook, Gilbert Parkhouse and Godfrey Evans. The next-best score in the innings was 44. Hutton rose magnificently to the occasion, but he lost partners rapidly against balls that lifted and turned nastily. To save the follow-on and make West Indies bat on that pitch was the only way back for England, but they fell short by 10 after a fighting last-wicket stand.

The second instance of Hutton carrying his bat. Against the speed of Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller, the spin of Jack Iverson and Ian Johnson, and the mixture of spin and swing provided by Bill Johnston, he scored 156 out of 272; next-best was 29. The only worthwhile support came from Reg Simpson, who stayed while 73 were added for the second wicket, and from Doug Wright in a last-wicket stand of 53. Hutton batted 10 minutes over six hours and hit 11 fours. Against Hutton the bowling looked almost mediocre, but most of the other batsmen made it appear lethal.

145 v Australia, Lord's, 1953

In the second Test of the Ashes-regaining series, Hutton missed three catches, one of which bruised his thumb, but he made up for it with the bat. Wisden called his 145 "as near perfect an exhibition of the art of batting as one could ever expect to see". More important than the numerical value was the supreme confidence and freedom. The Australians tried everything in their power, but Hutton was a master. The sight of him giving free rein to his strokes brought undisguised delight to many who had bemoaned the lack of aggression in Test cricket.

169 v West Indies, Georgetown, 1953-54

Not many gave England a chance going into this series, and they lost the first two Tests to show why. In the third, though, Hutton turned the tables, playing faultlessly for seven hours and 40 minutes. He concentrated mainly on safety, but occasionally he produced a cover-drive, cut or leg glance that revealed his superb technique. The bowlers, Brain Statham and Jim Laker mainly, responded, and England kept the series alive.

In the decider of this tough series, England accomplished their most noteworthy achievement by drawing a series from 0-2 down against a powerful West Indies side. After Trevor Bailey destroyed West Indies for 139, Hutton took them out of the game. For concentration and control, Hutton's innings of a shade under nine hours scarcely could have been excelled. Many of his 23 fours - he also drove Garry Sobers for 6 - came from his cover-drive. For this, then the only double-century by an England captain on a tour abroad, he deserved unstinting praise, considering the responsibilities and worries on his shoulders.